Re: Parlow While that has been true at times. i think that she has steped it up of late. and you need big bodies of which she is one. Add Abby to the Mix and we have all the big bodies we need. i think that CP deserves a roster spot. She has never been one of my favorite players, and I have often complained that she is not a 90 min. player. and while i still do not feel she is a 90 min. player i still think she is valuable to the WNT.And has earned it.
Good article on the improved level of play since the last Women's World Cup: Chastain envisions loftier Cup "The playing field is getting more level. The U.S. team will be challenged. China's Sun Wen, whose team was defeated on penalty kicks in the 1999 final, has already started the trash talking, questioning the age of the American team. ``They are on the downturn,'' Sun told an Asian publication. ``They're still relying on the same players. Their younger players are not ready for the big stage.'' Sun's comments touched on a potential sore point for the U.S. team. To sell tickets, much of this tournament will be marketed around the likable, familiar personalities of the American stars. Marketing slogans are already being suggested: Julie Foudy has said, ``Come see the old ladies.'' Others have come up with: ``It's your first chance to see them for the last time.''
I am glad to see Sun's trash talk getting ink. I hope it gets more, so fans get riled, and interest gets generated. How about an ad that shows the great vets working out today, displaying their speed, fitness and skill, competing fiercely and successfully against both foreigners and American younger stars, with the background voice saying, "shouldn't you be doing this after 30?" Then show shots of young greats like Wagner and Wambach, in international play, with a woman's voice in the background saying "Sun Wen thinks America's women are too old to compete. Tell that to Aly Wagner (as she flies past another team or threads a great pass). Tell that to Abby Wambach (as she overpowers an opponent). Tell that to Brandi Chastain (show her barreling over an opponent). Tell that to Mia Hamm (pick any recent great play). [Pause]." Then have Chastain or Hamm say, "Bring it on!" Then a recognizable sports broadcaster's voice (my preference is Gary Thorn, who should be picked to do the final) booms out, "The Women's World Cup. It keeps getting better and better."
You're hired!! But seriously, that's just the type of ad I'd like to see. (I also enjoyed the 'team-oriented' commercials from '99). I am glad to see that WUSA is started to get more into this frame of mind with their advertising.
Thank you. I'm flattered. I'm glad you are seeing WUSA advertising like that. Of course, your team is one of the few that actually does a good job of getting the word out (casual sports fans I talk to from San Diego know that the Spirit plays there). The whole league needs to advance on this level.
I hope Sun doesn't have the last laugh. Some of our "old ladies" have been looking kind of burned out playing with their club teams lately. I just hope they can hold out.
Prediction. If the USA doesn't win WWC'03, the media are going to pounce on the lack of preparation post-Argarve Cup. In retrospect, games against the Canadian kids, England and Ireland aren't going to look like real/serious preparation. Lopsided scores for sure (always fun for the crowds and media) but soccer purists won't be fooled. Is upcoming game against Brazil the only real test for the US squad prior to WWC? If so, I wouldn't want to be in April's shoes.
is mac going to be back for WC? she said during the ireland game that her rehab is well ahead of schedule - wow that would be huge! pearce and lilly are shredding the ireland left - abby is running wild out there - great gut check goal bu reilly, hope she's not hurt too bad prediction - the US will largely cruise to a WC repeat, leaving BigSoccer posters to form other irrational fears
They should try to get Iceland one more time. If they can manage to break Iceland's defense, I would feel much better. A game with the Canadian goons would be great as well. I think Canada will surprise the world this WC. If the USA and Canada are in opposite side of the draw, I would pick them for the finals.
she said she is going to be back but i have to highly doubt she will be back and playing well enough to grab a starting position and play well enough to displace some of the other canidates. can you come back in a few months? sure. but coming back and coming back and making an impact are two totally different things.
Canadian goons? Funny. But speaking of goons, Abby is a game-breaker. IMHO April would be nuts to not have her on the roster. Pretty soccer is nice but WWC'03 will be no cake-walk. Need to have your heavy artillery for this one.
reilly has a broken fibula - that's a shame - so she's out for WC - is it time to bring back fotopolous? welsh?
She's not out of the WC. A break like that generally takes six to eight weeks to heal. She'll be back by the end of July if things go well. The quotes I've seen from AH lead me to believe she has no intention of replacing O'Reilly for the WC.
I'd just like to say how much I agree with this post. I think Abby proved a point last night. She scored twice, and could have scored a couple more. She also came back on defense and generally covered the field well. If we're lucky, she earned herself a spot on the WC squad last night.
you're right. heather said that she will definatly be back in time for the WC and is prepared to work just as hard as Mac is to return to the roster. im visiting her on friday, so ill try to take some pics and post them.
yeah i just now saw that - i just assumed that would take longer to recover from - good news that... she's a nice, talented girl
I think it depends on how well Abby does against Brazil (if she gets to play) in July. I can imagine the rest of the WUSA season will play some role as well. Consistency is where it all lies. The thing is, with Mac out and O'Reilly injured AH really can't afford not to have her on the team, but no one but April knows what goes through April's mind...so we'll see.
about our preparation... I believe the US has two more matches in September before the Cup starts. Maybe they can line up some better competition.
Oh hell I'll just post this in here.... From the 6/18 USA Today: Longtime U.S. stars hope to shine once more By Vicki Michaelis, USA TODAY
I might as well post this article here too, since O'Reillys injury is in here: O'Reilly injury awakens bad memories for Pearce http://www.app.com/app2001/story/0,21133,752712,00.html